Today at Quotable Tuesday, I am delighted to host Ammi-Joan Paquette, the author of the stunning NOWHERE GIRL, the delightful TIPTOE GUIDE TO TRACKING FAIRIES and soon the TIPTOE GUIDE TO TRACKING MERMAIDS.
Joan was recently in Austin for the SCBWI conference and I asked her what quote inspires her or keeps her going during the times we lag as writers. ”I am a huge fan of quotable and motivational sayings. I don’t know that I could ever possibly settle upon a favorite quote, but there is one which I adore and which is currently posted on my bulletin board:
“We work in the dark—we do what we can—we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art.” Henry James
“I love this quote for so many reasons. I love the feel and the sound and the texture of it. I love the way my writerly doubts and darkness are not only acknowledged but harnessed and put to use: It’s okay to doubt ourselves, but it’s what we do with that doubt that makes the difference. I love the way passion is given its moment in the spotlight—that éclat of zest and enthusiasm that lights up an otherwise ordinary day. When I come to a standstill, a quote like this gets me moving again.
“An author’s work is accomplished within a very small sphere—a little bubble wherein we sit, talking to ourselves, muttering in the dark, giggling a little or maybe bringing ourselves to tears. “Madness of art”, indeed! I’ll take it.”
Me, too!
Thank you, Joan, for stopping by and reaffirming the sometimes strange choice we make as writers.
So a friend of mine sent me a link to Jason Cohen’s blog A Smart Bear. Apparently, Cohen is the founder of WP Engine and Smart Bear Software. I say apparently because I have no idea what WP Engine or Smart Bear software is or if my life is made better by its invention.
But here’s what I do know: after reading his blog, I can tell you that writers and people who do start-ups (start-uppers?) have a lot in common. Both of us invest huge amounts of time, energy and resources in a vision, as yet unformed, with the belief that what’s in our heads is worthy of existing in the world and touching many, many lives. For me, it’s characters and their stories that will touch peoples hearts. For them, it’s software or a site that will make our lives easier or better. Both of us dream of riches and recognition. Both of us spend many, many hours toiling in complete anonymity to make our vision come alive.
Don’t believe me? Check out Cohen’s post: It’s tortuous chaos until it isn’t. He gives examples of several start-ups’ growth charts which have this stunning curve when they finally take off. Then he points to the beginning, the very flat part of the curve, that time when start-uppers (why not?) are worried about making payroll or showing enough progress to get another round of investors or considering which products aren’t working. All the while “Staying bright and cheery on the outside for the press, customers, and even employees but with Damocles’ Sword hanging overhead?”
Reading Cohen’s blog felt eerily familiar to me as a writer.
And then he cites George Orwell’s anguish over his yet unnamed manuscript “.… I am not pleased with the book but I am not absolutely dissatisfied. I first thought of it in 1943. I think it is a good idea but the execution would have been better if I had not written it under the influence of TB. I haven’t definitely fixed on the title but I am hesitating between NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR and THE LAST MAN IN EUROPE. …” Yes, that book.
Cohen closes the blogs with these words(the links are to former blog posts):
Today at Quotable Tuesday, I am joined by the brilliant Kristine George. Kristine is the author of children’s poetry including EMMA DILEMMA, FOLD ME A POEM and my personal favorite HUMMINGBIRD NEST
As a writer, she has many quotes about writing that she loves but this one by Christopher Fry stands out:
“Poetry is the language in which man explores his own amazement.”
“This quote,” says George. “Serves as a reminder to me that when I’m astonished or something touches me deeply, poetry is an excellent place to “put” those feelings. It’s also a call to look and think more deeply, not simply say, “That’s cool!” and move on.
“Fry’s quote goes hand in hand with something my teacher, Myra Cohn Livingston, said often:
“Take time to fill up the well.”
“Indeed! I won’t find any “amazements” if I sit all day at a desk.”
Kristine has some amazing news: EMMA DILEMMA: Big Sister Poems (Clarion Books/ Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter) won the Claudia Lewis Award from Bank Street. Also EMMA DILEMMA has her very own book trailer:
Fabulous, eh? If you think so, go over to the EMMA DILEMMA Facebook page and like it. Kristine invites you to share any sister stories or pictures there.
Thank you, Kristine, for taking the time to share the quotes that inspire you as a writer.
